Memory Controller Super Block Hot Data Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory systems face inefficiencies in data management, particularly in distinguishing and handling hot and cold data, which affects performance and operational efficiency, as existing controllers lack effective mechanisms to dynamically categorize and relocate data between super blocks and non-super blocks based on read operations.
Innovation Solution
A controller is designed with an internal memory to store status information, a read counter to track block read counts, and a super block manager to divide data into hot and cold categories, copying hot data from non-super blocks to super blocks based on predefined reference values, thereby optimizing data placement and improving system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is stored uniformly in all memory blocks without distinction, then memory management is simple, but read operation efficiency deteriorates due to inability to prioritize frequently accessed data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory blocks into super blocks and non-super blocks based on read frequency. The controller divides memory blocks into first memory blocks (super blocks) for hot data and second memory blocks (non-super blocks) for cold data, enabling differentiated management and prioritized access to frequently accessed data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different characteristics to different memory regions. Super blocks are designated with higher priority and optimized for fast read operations, while non-super blocks serve for less frequently accessed data. This creates localized optimization where hot data resides in high-performance regions.
2Productivity
If all memory blocks are treated equally without super block differentiation, then controller structure is simple, but system performance deteriorates due to inability to optimize hot data access
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is segmented into specialized components: a read counter for tracking access frequencies, a super block manager for decision-making, and a data mover for execution. This segmentation enables performance optimization through dedicated functions while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying hot data through read counting and pre-positioning it in super blocks before future read operations occur. This anticipatory data movement optimizes future access patterns without waiting for actual read requests.
3Reliability
If read reclaim operations are performed on all blocks regardless of access pattern, then read disturb prevention is comprehensive, but operational time increases due to unnecessary data movement
Solution Approach 1:
Read reclaim operations are applied locally only to non-super blocks where cold data resides. Since hot data in super blocks is accessed frequently and needs to remain there, the controller selectively performs read reclaim on non-super blocks, preventing read disturb where needed while avoiding unnecessary operations on hot data blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller applies partial action by performing read reclaim operations only on a subset of memory blocks (non-super blocks) rather than all blocks. This selective approach provides sufficient read disturb prevention for cold data while minimizing operational overhead and time consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a controller, a memory system having the same, and an operating method thereof. The controller includes a read counter configured to store a block read count value of a super block and memory blocks within a non-super block as a status information in an internal memory by counting a number of times that a read operation is performed on the memory blocks; and a super block manager configured to: store a super block reclaim trigger reference and a non-super block reclaim trigger reference, which is set for the super block and the non-super block, as the status information in the internal memory, divide data stored in the memory blocks into hot data and cold data according to the block read count value, and copy the hot data in the non-super block to the super block according to the status information.